Group Discusses Bike Concerns in Gainesville

Gainesville, FL -- Dozens of Gainesville's bicyclists gathered for a cause on Monday night to talk about different issues that may surround the bicycling world.

This is the fourth time the group -- comprised of an author, director and chef - have toured the U.S. to talk to bicyclists about concerns in their community in an event called "Dinner and Bikes."

This year the main topic was how bicycling can be good for the economy.

A member of the group, Joe Biel, said bicycling can be good for a local economy because, "we would have more disposable income which leads to more impulsive purchases which leads to more individual trips for small purchases to each business."

The Mayor of Hawthorne Matthew Surrency was also in attendance to get ideas for improving the safety of bicyclists in the community.

"It's just having that option of being able to bike where ever you want to," said Surrency, "to be able to have the safety of the bike trail, the safety of the side of the roads."

Surrency added that Hawthorne has a few potholes, which are dangerous for bicyclists.